#32 Another threat

Owen's brown eyes met my light blue ones. He gave me a small nod as a grin appeared on his lips. I averted my eyes from him to glare at Sebastian, my pretended fiancé for the night.
"Why's Owen here?" I asked, frowning.
"Oh, he made it," Sebastian grumbled, glancing indifferently towards Owen's direction.
"Did you invite him?"
"My mom asked me who your friends are. I told her that besides Sophie, you hung out with that doctor, too," the man replied with a shrug.
"But you don't like him…"
"Well, you said he's your friend, and I respect that."
"What's your deal, Sebastian?" I asked once again, eyeing him through half-closed eyes.
"He wants what's mine, and I can't let this pass…" the billionaire replied, his grey eyes piercing into mine.
A gasp escaped my lips as my brain registered his words. "I'm not yours, Sebastian. You must get this into your thick head of yours…" I hissed through gritted teeth.
"You're my baby's mother, Evelyn," he retorted, glaring at me.
"I'm exactly that, nothing more, nothing less. Now, I'd suggest you decide what you want and stop messing with my feelings," I mouthed before walking away.
I tried to plaster a smile on my lips while I walked through the room, heading towards Owen. Some of the people present waved at me or asked me a quick question. I tried to be polite, nodding and answering the best way I could. Deep down, I couldn't shake off the thought that I didn't belong there…
"And I was wondering when I'll have the chance to talk with the beautiful newly engaged friend of mine," Owen chuckled when I finally managed to reach him.
"Owen, it's good to see you again, outside the hospital," I joked, and we exchanged a quick hug.
"I couldn't miss your engagement party," he said, but this time I could feel the annoyance in his voice.
"It's not exactly that," I muttered under my breath.
"That's what it seems to me, but never mind. You're stunning tonight, and I just wish you all the happiness in the word," the doctor said, giving me a sincere smile.
"Thank you for your wishes and for coming here tonight. Sebastian's mother organized this party, and I didn't know she invited you."
"Free food and champagne; I couldn't miss it," Owen chuckled, giving me a wink. "I didn't have time to buy you guys a present, but I promise to make it up to you two soon."
"No need, Owen. Your friendship is already more than I could ask for. I must go freshen up myself before Clara finds many more guests for us to greet," I grumbled, rolling my eyes.
"Of course, Evelyn, I don't want to keep you all for myself," Owen whispered, a lopsided grin stretching his lips.
"I'm sure that Sophie and Nickolas can keep you company, though," I muttered, showing him where to find my friends.
We promised to meet each other soon, and I watched him head over Sophie. I felt better now that Owen had someone to keep him company.
I headed towards the ladies' room to fix my makeup and take a breather. My legs and back were hurting, and my ears were buzzing. Hopefully, we could leave soon because I wanted nothing more than a good night's sleep.
The door suddenly burst open, and a middle-aged woman dressed in a black beaded dress walked in. Her dark brown hair and hazel eyes reminded me of someone I had seen before. Her red lips stretched in a sneer while she scrutinized from head to toe, making me shiver.
"Sebastian could have found himself a more suitable wife," the woman spat, coming closer to me.
"Well, he seemed like he found love and happiness," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady.
"You think what you have is love? You couldn't have been more mistaken, dear," the woman chuckled, although her eyes were unamused.
An unsettling feeling crept inside my chest. What was this woman's deal?
"If you aren't happy about Sebastian and me, I don't see the reason to attend our engagement party."
"I was curious to see the woman who managed to replace my daughter's spot in Sebastian's heart," the woman said, a cunning smirk plastered on her lips.
My eyes widened in surprise. The woman in front of me was the mother of Sebastian's late fiancée. A chill ran down my spine, and I crossed my hands in front of my chest. This was worse than I had imagined.
"I'm sincerely sorry for what happened, but we can change the past. Sebastian's trying to make a new beginning, so please accept that, or let us be," I said, glaring at her.
"You're just a gold digger; you're a nobody seeking money and fame. I'm sure Sebastian will see your true colors sooner or later," the woman mocked me with a disgusted look on her face.
I might be pretending to Sebastian's fiancée for the night, but I couldn't allow anyone to speak ill of me. The woman seemed keen on the past, and I didn't have the time or the energy to bicker.
"It was lovely to talk to you, Madam. Now, if you excuse, they must be waiting for me back in the party," I stated, a fake smile plastered on my lips.
I only managed to take a few steps towards the door before she grasped my arm, making me stop. I turned around to face her, and I shivered when she stared at me, her eyes filled with venom.
"You aren't better than my daughter, and he knows that. You can't be happy with a man who loves another woman," she hissed through gritted teeth.
"We're sorry for what happened to Olivia, Janine. You know how much her loss affected my family. But it's time for Sebastian to move on," Clara's voice came from behind me. Her tone was cold, but that couldn't stop the sigh of relief that escaped my lips.
The brunette woman let me free, and I staggered backward, losing my balance momentarily. Clara's hands were instantly on my back, and she pulled me softly towards her.
"He surely found the perfect woman," the woman named Janine said, glaring our way.
"My son found love once again, and there's nothing greater in this world than this. Tonight, we're throwing a party to celebrate Sebastian and Evelyn's betrothal. If you can't enjoy yourself, then I'm sure it would be better for you to leave," Clara retorted, her head tilting to the door.
"My dear Clara, you forgot rather quickly that we once used to be a family," Janine said, taking small steps towards the door.
"I considered you my friend for all these years, but this might change from now on." Ms. Leclair stated, her cold grey eyes glaring at the brunette woman. "Come on, darling, Sebastian's looking for you," she continued softly, leading me out of the ladies' room.
"You won't be happy, and I'll make sure of it," the woman yelled, making me wince.
My feet followed Sebastian's mother as my mind tried to register what had happened. Janine threatened to destroy my happiness if I ever chose to be with Sebastian. However, I couldn't understand why on earth she wanted to interfere with our lives. I had done nothing to her, and as far as I knew, Sebastian had nothing to do with Olivia's death.
A frown formed on my forehead when we entered another sitting room. The decoration was once again in neutral colors, but the fabrics and the little details made it seem luxurious. Clara closed the door behind us, and I headed to one of the white sofas without waiting for her permission.
"You seem exhausted," she observed, her calculating eyes on me.
"I'm not sure whether it's more physical or mental," I sighed.
"My apologies for what happened back there. I never thought Janine would cause a scene," Clara said, taking the seat next to me.
"That woman wasn't entirely at fault. Sebastian doesn't love me, and he's still not over Olivia…" I trailed off.
"Sebastian's afraid to move on and open up his heart to another. But he's letting you in, and I'm sure you know it."
My eyes snapped at her, and she just smiled, pleased with my expression. Of course, I knew it because Sebastian had told me, but that didn't mean he loved me.
"Be his friend, darling, and he will fall for you eventually. You're beautiful, sweet, and, most importantly, you're bearing his child," Clara continued.
"Ms. Leclair, we can't force him to love me nor marry me, and you can't force me either," I told her as politely as I could.
"I'm afraid none of you have a saying in this, Evelyn. I can't let you have this child unmarried and tarnish our family name. This child will be Sebastian's firstborn and his heir…"
"With all due respect, but we live in the twenty-first century. You can't control our lives," I abruptly interrupted her. How could she think so regressively? Under other circumstances, no one would care for us being unmarried or even living in different houses.
"We may belong in high society, Evelyn, but some things never change. Your child will be considered as an illegitimate one by many people in our circle," the woman explained, glaring at me.
"I don't care about what people will think, and I never asked for your money. I just want my child to be born healthy," I retorted, caressing my tummy.
"If Sebastian doesn't have any legitimate heirs, then the company will pass on to Nickolas. You know very well what this company means for him. You also know that this is the only chance for him to get married and make a family," Clara stated, her greyish eyes studying my features closely.
"You can't be sure about this. Sebastian might have a better chance in love than me…"
"I'm a mother, dear, and I know my children very well. It's clear that you care for him, so I'm certain that you'll make the right decision."
Her words were like a slap. This was even worse than the contract Sebastian offered me. Not only my child's fate but Sebastian's future depended on me, on my choices and decisions.
"I understand," I whispered under my breath.
"Perfect, now come, we must go back," Clara said, her cheery smile plastered on her lips again.
I sheepishly followed her back inside the grand living room. This time, I was sure that my smile looked more like a grimace, but that's the best I could do.
After all this, I wish I had never attended that interview… If only I hadn't accepted the job, I would have never had an affair with Sebastian, and I wouldn't be carrying his child. A mere decision had changed my whole world…
"Where have you been?" Sebastian asked, placing his hand at my lower back.
"I went to the ladies' room," I replied, my voice trembling.
"Evelyn, you're pale…"
"I'm just a bit tired," I replied, glancing at the people around us.
"Of course, you are! You've been standing for hours. Come, I'll take you home," Sebastian said, lacing his hand with mine.
We bid our friends and families our goodbyes and headed towards Sebastian's car. Clara looked displeased that we left the party early. However, Sebastian's cold glare was enough to keep her from saying anything else.
"You can talk to me, Evelyn…" Sebastian sighed, trying to decipher what happened.
I kept staring at the twinkling lights coming from the city outside my window.
"What did my mother say to you, love?" Sebastian asked once again.
"It isn't only your mother. You know, everyone knows that I don't belong in your world. But most importantly, I don't want to be part of your world, Sebastian…" I whispered.
"Evelyn, I don't care about what others think of you. And as for my mother, she's just keen on marrying me. Please, don't let her worlds get into you."
"I'm tired of people forcing me to do things I don't want. I'm tired of being compared with your late fiancée, too. I'm not her, I'll never be, and I don't want to live in her shadow." My voice raised with every word I uttered. My chest heaved up and down irregularly, and my eyes pierced his grey orbs.
"Evelyn, no one will ever force you again to do something you don't want; I'll make sure of that. And no one compared you with her…" Sebastian said, trying to keep his temper.
"Janine did, and I bet half of the people there thought the same."
"You met Janine?" Sebastian gasped, running a hand through his hair.
"She cornered me in the restroom. Your mother came to my rescue, though. Not that I couldn't deal with her by myself," I explained.
Sebastian was livid but tried to compose himself, probably for my shake. "I'm sorry you had to go through this."
"It's not your fault, Sebastian," I mouthed, my voice breaking at the end while hot tears trailed down my face.
My unborn child's father sighed and pulled me to sit on his lap. He kept me close and caressed my back soothingly. I sobbed uncontrollably, lacing my hands around his neck and nestling my head at the crook of his neck. We stayed like this until exhaustion finally made me fall asleep in his arms.
I opened my eyes when Sebastian placed me softly on my bed. I frowned and looked around me, but it seemed like he carried me all the way from the car to my bedroom in his loft.
"Are you feeling any better?" he asked, giving me a small smile.
"Yes, thank you," I replied, my voice hoarse from all the crying.
"I'll call Martha to help you get change," he muttered and stood up.
"No need. Martha might be sleeping," I told him and started taking off the jewelry I was wearing.
Sebastian sighed and helped me remove my high heels, unzipped my dress, and placed it on the sofa. I wore my nightgown and walked into the bathroom to wash my face and brush my teeth. A blush appeared on my cheeks when I saw him waiting for me. He had taken off his tie and had unfastened the first buttons of his white shirt.
"Come on, I'll tuck you into bed," he grumbled, avoiding staring at me for too long.
I walked to the bed and slipped under the comforter.
"Tomorrow is a new day; everything will be alright, Evelyn. Please don't lose hope," he said softly, placing a peck on my forehead.
I nodded, trying to hold back my tears. "Stay with me, at least until I fall asleep," I begged the billionaire, taking his hand in mine.
Sebastian nodded and laid on the bed next to me. His soft caress on my hair and neck helped me drift quickly into a deep slumber…